Handpicked from diverse industries and realms of expertise, the Best of NeoCon jurors will evaluate 294 new product submissions in person at THE MART in Chicago on June 7 and 8. Winners will be announced on Monday, June 10, marking an exciting kickoff to the NeoCon show, running June 10-12.
Traveling from across the country, the 50 jurors bring a wealth of experience and insight into the nuances of product design and specification, along with a profound understanding of evolving industry trends. This qualifies them to meticulously assess and, if applicable, test out each and every Best of NeoCon product entry. This immersive approach affords jurors ample time for thoughtful deliberation while offering exhibitors the opportunity to present their introductions to the jury and address their questions in real-time.
Amidst the ongoing transformations in the workplace, the significance of the tools decision-makers specify — from office furnishings to cutting-edge technology — has never been more pronounced, impacting the end-user experience and shaping the offices of tomorrow. With a collective specifying scope encompassing millions of square feet across commercial, life science, healthcare, education, government, hospitality and public sectors, this year’s group has unparalleled expertise and will bestow the Best of NeoCon honor upon only the best solutions for the built environment.
Eileen McMorrow, Best of NeoCon Director
This year’s delegation features both new and returning leaders from prestigious firms such as CannonDesign, HOK, Studio GC, Gensler and NELSON, as well as major multinational corporations including Sony Pictures, Walgreens, and Nestlé Purina PetCare, to name a few. The full list of jurors can be found on the Best of NeoCon website.
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to once again participate as a Best of NeoCon juror. It’s inspiring to see how designers are increasingly prioritizing impact-driven solutions, and I look forward to recognizing and celebrating those efforts this year. As we just launched the Gensler Product Sustainability Standards, I’m particularly excited to evaluate entries through a new framework that emphasizes sustainability and responsible design practices.
Angel Gonzales, Resource Director, Gensler
Best of NeoCon judges: FM expertise
While the input of design professionals is paramount, facility management leaders offer the critical end-user perspective while judging the competition. Facilities professionals joining the 2024 jury include:
- Deborah Carruth, Project Manager FF&E, UT Health Science Center San Antonio
- Amy Chavez, Interior Designer/Technical Project Manager, Los Alamos National Labs
- Natashia Dunham, National Director Real Estate, Empire-Sobeys
- Julie Ekstrom, Senior Interior Designer, AbbVie
- Bill Fedun, Director, Facilities, TruStage
- Alana Gavrilis, Senior Project Manager Facilities, NeighborWorks America
- Nicole Habbe, Manager Facilities Planning, Nestle Purina PetCare
- Melissa Keyzers, Manager of Moves and Alterations / Interior Designer, Exact Sciences
- Michelle Kool, Senior Interior Designer, Northwestern Mutual
- Jeehee Lee, Senior Space Planner, Oracle
- Tina Macica, AVP Design and Construction, Montefiore Medical Center
- Deborah McClard, Technical Project Manager, Los Alamos National Labs
- John Muckler, Director Facilities and Operations, University of Michigan
- Fabian Perez, Associate Designer, NetJets
- Stephanie Peters, Director, Guest & Team Member Services, Walgreens
- Linnea Rehnke, Manager Capital Projects, Advocate Aurora Health
- Stephanie Restrepo, Design and Construction Project Manager, Block Inc
- Wendy Takahashi, Director, Project Management, Sony Pictures
- Don Turley, Interiors Architect, National Science Foundation
- Lelitha Williams, Senior Space Planner, Aflac
The Best of NeoCon awards program will honor outstanding new products across 50 categories encompassing workplace, healthcare, hospitality and education domains. Honors will be awarded for Gold, Silver, Innovation, Sustainability and the coveted Best of Competition. This year, entrants have the opportunity to opt-in to be considered for the Business Impact Award and pre-vetted by a jury of facility end-users, real estate planners and specifiers, who will consider their contributions based on the degree to which they contribute to business operations and enterprise-oriented built environments across verticals. Finalists will undergo additional evaluation on-site by a panel of business journalists from leading publications, including Fast Company, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Bloomberg.
Winners will be unveiled during a live ceremony at THE MART on Monday, June 10, at 7:30 AM, ushering in the 55th edition of NeoCon. Best of NeoCon winners will proudly display their awards in their showrooms and booths during the show.
NeoCon 2024 registration, keynotes and featured presentations are complimentary. CEU programs and workshops are $45 per session ($40 if purchasing five or more). See our editorial team’s programming recommendations for facility managers and designers.
To register and explore the complete listing of 2024 programming, including both onsite and virtual CEU-approved programs, workshops, NeoCon Talks, featured presentations and keynotes, head to NeoCon.